Post

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
on
“Recent Microbial Advancements and Impact of Chemical Pollutants on the Components of Ecosystem”
Date: 20 and 21 November 2025
Venue: DLS PG College, Bilaspur (C.G.)
OVERVIEW
A Two-Day International Seminar was organized by the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology at DLS Post Graduate College Bilaspur. The seminar's Convener was Dr. Archana R. Pandey from the Microbiology Department, and the Co-Convener was Dr. Neha Behar and Dr. Sumit Kumar Dubey from the Department of Biotechnology. This seminar was jointly organized by the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology in collaboration with the Microbiologists Society of India. The International Seminar, held on the occasion of the college's 27th anniversary, brought together experts, researchers, and students to explore cutting-edge microbial research and its implications for ecosystems amid rising chemical pollution. The event featured keynote addresses, oral and poster presentations, and discussions on sustainable solutions.
Key Highlights
Inaugural Session
The title of the international seminar was “Recent Microbial Advancements and Impact of Chemical Pollutants on the Components of Ecosystem." The two-day international seminar was organized in a hybrid mode, where professors and research scholars from India and abroad presented their research. In the inaugural ceremony, the chief guest was Prof. A.K. Pandey (Former Vice Chancellor, Vikram University Ujjain, M.P). The special guest was Prof. A.M. Deshmukh (Chairman, Microbiologists Society India). Prof. R.V. Shukla (Vice-Chancellor, Shri Dhanraj Shethji University, Raipur) was the guest of honour. The inaugural ceremony commenced with the lighting of a traditional lamp, followed by Saraswati Vandana and Rajya Geet. The seminar’s theme was communicated by the convener, Dr. Archana Pandey. She addressed the gathering about the motive behind organizing this international seminar and also discussed its beneficial aspects.
The stage was managed by Dr. Sanjay Dubey and Dr. Mukta Kumari from the Hindi and B.Ed. Department, along with Mr. Sheikh Faridi and Ms. Richa Wyckliff. Welcome Address was given by Dr. Pratap Pandey (Principal of DLS PG College). He discussed the vision of the late Basant Sharma and welcomed all the dignitaries present. Shrimati Nisha Basant Sharma (Chairman of DLS PG College) stated that the seminar's objective is not only to discuss scientific facts but also to contemplate modern industrial development, while providing facilities.
Technical Sessions
The technical session was divided into three categories. The first technical session was held on 20th November. The chairperson of the session was Dr. Dinesh Pandey (Principal Scientist, TCB CARS, IGKV, Bilaspur), and the co-chairperson was Dr. K.K. Patel from Govt. TCL College, Janjgir (C.G).
The keynote speaker was Prof. A.K. Pandey. He emphasized C.V. Raman's research mantra, saying, "We should not choose a research topic merely by reading a book, but rather by solving problems occurring around us, which will make us a good researcher." He added that development exists when there is a balance in nature and the ecosystem, and the imbalance in the environment today is due to the lifestyle adopted by humans, resulting in severe diseases like cancer.
We collaborated on this international seminar with the Microbiologists Society, India. Prof. A.M. Deshmukh (President, Microbiologists Society, India) explained that pollution has severely affected our surrounding ecosystem, impacting water, air, and everything around us. He also focused on a new type of pollution, which is E-Pollution. He said e-waste is also causing many environmental hazards. He stated that the most effective solution to water and soil pollution is a microbiological approach because it causes no harm. The online lecture on the first day was given by an international guest Prof. Jayampathy Dissnayake from Sri Lanka. She delivered her lecture on the impact of chemical pollutants on microbial ecosystems, on the human microbiome, and on solutions enabled by microbial advancements.
Dr. Latika Bhatiya (UTD, ABVV, Bilaspur) delivered her talk on biofuel as invited Talk.
SECOND DAY (21 NOVEMBER 2025)
The second day of the seminar commenced with the lighting of the lamp before Goddess Saraswati. Followed by the second technical session with a lecture by Dr A.K. Srivastava from the Government. Danveer Tularam PG College, Utai, Chhattisgarh, who spoke about the importance of cyanobacteria in the environment. The chairperson of the session was Prof. H. S. Hota (UTD, ABVV Bilaspur C.G.), and the Co-Chairperson was Dr Smriti Pandey (CMD College, Bilaspur (C.G.).
The Second Invited Talk was given by Prof. D.S.V.G.K. Kaladhar (Professor and Head, Microbiology and Bioinformatics department, UTD, ABVV). He explained that microbial remediation using artificially selected microbial communities is an extremely environmentally friendly way to remove pollutants.
The third invited talk was delivered by Prof. Santosh Thakur, Associate Professor (Dept. of Chemistry, GGU Bilaspur). He provided information about VCD-DFT, VCD spectroscopy, and DFT computer calculations, focusing on their use for the complete identification of chiral epoxides and understanding their properties. This method helps scientists in planning the use of these molecules.
Prof. Rakesh Pandey (Associate Professor, Dept. of Physics, GGU Bilaspur) delivered a lecture on the synthesis and characterization of significant materials for industrial applications from thermal power plant fly ash. Dr. Amrita Ranjan (Researcher at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, South Africa) delivered a keynote lecture on "Bioremediation of Wastewater through Microbial Route" via online mode. Apurba Kumar Sarkar (Bio Growing Company Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh) gave an invited lecture on the isolation and characterization of multidrug-resistant non-fermenters from different clinical specimens, through online mode. Prof. Ramakant (Department of Botany at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, U.P.) delivered an invited lecture on "Nutrient Biomining: from wastewater through algae" via online mode. Dr. Kiran Thakur (Govt. Bilasa Kanya PG College, Bilaspur) emphasized the need for action regarding the environment, stating that it is now more necessary than the study of environmental science. She urged everyone to enter an 'action mode. For the third technical session (oral/poster presentation), chairperson and co-chairpersons were Dr. Tarun Dhar Diwan (examination controller, ABVV Bilaspur, C.G.), Dr. Jyoti Pandey (Dr. C.V. Raman University, C.G.), and Dr. Smriti Pandey (C.M.D. College, Bilaspur, C.G.). Poster presentations, both online and offline, were conducted by all participants.
Valedictory
The chief guest of the Valedictory ceremony was Dr. Tarnish Gautam (Registrar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee University). While congratulating the successful organization of the international seminar, he discussed adopting options for eliminating chemical pollution with determination at the individual level. Nisha Basant Sharma (Chairman, DLS PG College, Bilaspur) and Dr. Pratap Pandey (Principal, DLS PG College, Bilaspur) were congratulated the institution on successfully organizing its first international seminar. All winners received certificates. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Neha Behar (Head, Biotechnology Department, DLS PG College, Bilaspur).
Outcome
The International Seminar on “Recent Microbial Advancements and Impact of Chemical Pollutants on the Components of Ecosystem” successfully promoted global collaboration on sustainable environmental solutions. The hybrid event effectively connected academic research with practical application. A key outcome was the important evaluation of microbial bioremediation as an eco-friendly alternative to address rising chemical and e-waste pollution. Insights from international experts, including Prof. Dissnayake (Sri Lanka) and Dr. Ranjan (South Africa), emphasized the crucial role of the human microbiome and wastewater treatment in restoring ecosystem balance. Keynote speakers highlighted a shift from theoretical research to "action mode," urging researchers to tackle local environmental issues through scientific innovation. Furthermore, the seminar provided a strong platform for knowledge sharing through technical sessions on Biofuels, Cyanobacteria, Plant Biodiversity, Green Energy Synthesis, Xenobiotic Pollutants, Biodegradation, Fertilizers, Environmental Literacy, Biophysical Approaches in environmental pollution, and Green Economy. The collaboration with the Microbiologists Society of India enriched the discussion, leading to a unanimous call for individual and institutional responsibility in reducing chemical footprints. The event ended with a firm commitment to adopt microbial technologies for environmental preservation, marking a significant academic achievement for the institution.